NITI Aayog
Universities – Industries and Government should work together to foster a new era of Science and Technology Innovations for Accelerated Sustainable Development – Dr VK Saraswat
Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog and Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University emphasised on the role of Science and Technology in driving Sustainable Development in India and around the world. The challenges facing India, such as climate change, air pollution, water scarcity, and energy security, require innovative and sustainable solutions that can only be achieved through the application of science and technology. Dr Saraswat articulated the need to promote renewable energy and sustainable production and sustainable consumption patterns and require much greater investment in renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind power and for greater use of electric vehicles and other sustainable transportation options. Dr Saraswat was delivering G-20 lecture on ‘Science and Technology for Sustainable Development’ organized on, April 20th, 2023 by Amity University Haryana
Dr Saraswat also presented the thrust of present government to foster a new era of Industry, Academia, and Government cooperation to accelerate India’s sustained march on pathways of Industry 4.0 on one hand and the formidable support for the success of the circular economy mission of the government.
Dr Saraswat advocated that India has enormous potential to become a global hub for technological innovation and highlighted the importance of investment in research and development, supporting new start-ups, and strengthening the linkages between industry, academia, and government. These efforts can help to create an ecosystem that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship and supports the growth of new technologies and new industries for inclusive and sustainable development of India. The fusion of 5G, AI and IoT is a key area where India can leverage its technological capabilities to enhance human capacity, now that the smart and intelligent technologies that can be applied to a wide range of critical areas, such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and transportation to improve efficiency, productivity, and quality of life, said by Dr Saraswat.
Dr Saraswat also emphasised on a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach for education and research that takes into account social, economic, and environmental factors. This requires a collective effort to address the digital divide, promote access to technology and digital literacy, and ensure that the benefits of technological innovations are distributed equitably.
India’s G-20 Presidency is a great opportunity for people of India, especially the young India, to make profound contributions to creating a new world order in line with India’s age old Vedic Sanatana philosophy of “Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam”, said Vice Chancellor Prof PB Sharma while delivering his welcome address. Path breaking Science and Technology Innovation are needed to foster a new era of growth and development with sustainability and for creation of millions of new jobs in green science and technology areas covering wide spectrum of new enterprises, business and services to create India of our dream said Prof Sharma.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof Vikas Madhukar, Amity University Haryana said that Amity University Haryana is leading by example in green practices and has earned a high reputation for its green initiatives for environment, energy and water conservation. Dr Madhukar stated that Amity University Haryana is a green campus which has LEED Platinum Certification from USGBC from 2017 onwards, the 1st university campus of India and 2nd in Asia to get the USGBC certificate. He added that AUH campus is a zero-wastewater discharge campus and has a well-established rainwater harvesting system and solid waste management. AUH has been ranked by THE, Times Higher Education Impact 2022, 32nd worldwide in SDG 7 for  and 63rd worldwide for SDG 6 .
Dr Sanjna Vij, G-20 Nodal Officer at Amity University Haryana presented a brief report on various activities and programs organised by AUH under G-20 University Connect Program for sensitizing young minds of students and faculty about the importance of G-20 India Presidency and its objectives. These included invited lectures by Dr Mangu Singh , Former Managing Direction Delhi Metro on ‘Future of Mobility’ and Swami Mukudananda, Global Spiritual Leader on ‘G-20 Presidency: Fostering Peace, Harmony and Hope for a Blissful World’, besides Poster Competition and Brain Storming Session by young inspired minds.
The student winners of G-20 Poster competition and Brainstorming session were awarded with certificates of appreciation by Dr VK Saraswat.
The event was also graced by Dr W. Selvamurthy, a renowned scientist and former Chief Controller of R&D of DRDO, who is currently the President of Amity Science and Technology Innovation Foundation, ASTIF of the Amity Education Group. The G-20 Lecture was organised under the sponsorship of RIS, G-20 University Connect Program and was graced by Mr Ali Syed and Ms Niyati Singh, officers of RIS.
Dr Atul Thakur, Director, Amity Institute of Nanotechnology & Amity School of Applied Sciences, AUH, Dr Shalini Bhaskar, Director, Amity School of Engineering and Technology, AUH, Dr HRP Yadav, HOD, Civil Engineering, Dr Ravi Manuja, Registrar, AUH, Dr IS Thakur, Director, ASEES & Rear Admiral. KK Pandey, Director HR along with large number of students, Heads of the Institutions and members of the faculty were also present during the program.
In the question answer session, Dr Saraswat interacted with the young minds who asked searching questions on India’s growth and development initiatives and the futuristic science and technology for sustainable development.
The vote of Thanks was presented by Prof. U N Singh, Dean Faculty of Arts & Chair-Professor of Linguistics, Amity University Haryana.